MetService issues strong wind watches for Bay of Plenty and Coromandel, urges residents to take precautions

Strong wind watches are in force for the Bay of Plenty west of Whakatāne, including Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupō while the Coromandel is now under an orange warning for severe gales today.

The watches and warnings come into force this afternoon and are in place until 9pm.

The Desert Rd has reopened this morning after ice closed it overnight.

Emergency services responded to wind-related incidents on Sunday after trees came down and blocked separate roads in the Waihī area.

The first callout was at 4.49am after a tree came down halfway between Waihī and Whiritoa on Waihī-Whangamatā Rd.

And the second was at 8.59am after a fallen tree blocked State Highway 2 west of Karangahake township.

MetService forecaster Gerard Bellam said a strong southwest flow from the Tasman Sea was sweeping across the North Island, bringing strong southwesterly winds which were being felt in many parts of the country.

The strong wind watches will be in force today from 3pm to 9pm, with gusts of up to 80 to 90 km/h expected during the afternoon.

On Saturday, gusts of 44km/h around 4pm increased to 81km/h by late afternoon, Ballam said.

Rotorua and Whakatāne’s wind gusts weren’t as strong or “fresh” as Tauranga’s, he said.

Bellam urged people to take extra precautions and tie down or store away any loose items such as deck chairs and unrestrained trampolines so they do not cause damage to property or people.

The Tauranga weather was expected to be partly cloudy tomorrow, with a few showers becoming more frequent in the afternoon but clearing by the evening along with the strong winds.

However, Tauranga residents can look forward to “long fine spells” on Tuesday, with westerly winds becoming strong in the afternoon and evening.

Rotorua is also likely to see a partly cloudy day tomorrow with showers clearing by evening, and mainly fine weather on Tuesday, with chances of some showers in the afternoon or evening.